School had already started here in Switzerland when the ‘walk to school’ debate started in the US in September this year. It was partly initiated by an article in the New York Times ‘Why can’t she walk to school?’ The story featured a mother who let her 7-year old girl, a second grader in upstate New York walk a block and half to school. Friends, neighbors, and families were just horrified at this apparent “lack of judgment” on the part of the mother.

In the part of the world where I live in, walking to school is the norm rather than the exception, and moms who chauffeur their kids to school, the so-called Mama-Taxis, are considered a traffic hazard frowned upon by school authorities, traffic officers, and other parents.

Why Parents are Afraid

Walking alone, even in familiar territory, presents danger to little children. The story of Little Red Riding has been our guiding lesson at a very young age. Kidnapping, pedophilia, bullying, and traffic accidents are just a few of the reason why parents would practically delivery their children right at the school doorstep and pick them up the same way. We’ve all heard the horror stories over the years of abductions and murders that have occurred.

However, because of these fears, parents would, according to the NYT, watch over their kids with unhealthy paranoia. Examples of these behaviors are:

• Parents and children sit in their cars at the end of the driveways to wait for the school bus.

• School buses are fitted with surveillance cameras.

• Parents drive to school with their kids’ names on the dashboard and children are individually escorted out by a school staff.

• People who see kids walk to school alone call the authorities.

• Parents who let their kids walk to school alone are reprimanded and are threatened to be charged with child endangerment.

What are the Benefits of Kids Walking to School?

• Walking to school builds character - It’s my kids’ way to independence.

• Walking prepares kids to navigate the world – Some experts believe that children who are chauffeured to and from school are not prepared to navigate the outside world.

• Walking is healthy – Lack of physical exercise is one of the major factors that contribute to chronic health problems and obesity in children these days. Walking to school give kids the chance to get physical exercise, get some fresh air and sunshine.

• Walking is cheaper and environmentally friendly – Gasoline  is expensive and driving adds to air pollution. According to the traffic officer, a lot of traffic accidents involving children happen because of the traffic hazards presented by Mama-Taxis.

With these things in mind, I give some tips as to how I got my kids ready for walking to school.

Make sure your child is ready -I rehearsed with my kids several times before school started. On the way to school, they have to cross the main street which is usually manned by 2 traffic guards during school days. However, they have to learn to cross on their own, just in case the guards aren’t around. If your child doesn’t feel too secure about walking alone, then walk with him or her until she gains confidence.

Choose the safest way – The safest way is not necessarily the shortest way. I showed my kids to take a way where they aren’t exposed too much to vehicular traffic. However, I did check it out several times, paying attention to hazards such as steps, dogs, water, insufficient street lighting etc. that they might encounter along the way.

Once they grow older and more street wise, I’m sure they’d take the shorter route. But that’s years away from now.

There is safety in numbers – I always emphasize this to my twin boys. They go to separate classes but they have similar schedules and the rule is: wait for each other. It is advisable that your child walks with other children even if it means making a detour. Talk to other moms and pool your kids together.

Leave the wheels at home – Bicycles, skates, and scooters, leave them at home until the kids are old enough. The safest way to get to school is walking, even though it may not be the fastest.

Make your child as visible as possible to motorists – Reflectors on jackets and school bags make children more visible to drivers. Kindergarten kids in Switzerland are required to walk the streets with some sort of reflector vests.

Do spot checks – I have to admit it. I spied on my kids during the first few weeks of school just to make sure they are alright. I also try to observe their behavior while walking. Are they being careful? I have stopped spying on them since but I do spot checks from time to time and tell them ‘I just happened to be nearby.’

Let go. And don’t feel guilty – I know a lady who’s been waging a battle for the last couple of years against her daughter, her daughter’s teachers, and her fears. She was traumatized as a child when she witnessed a friend fatally ran over by a car on the way to school. I can imagine how difficult it is for her to let go and let her daughter walk to school alone. But we cannot protect our kids forever. And we shouldn’t make our fears their fears. We have to let go at some stage, and we shouldn’t be feeling guilty either.

We all know about the importance of teaching children to love reading– not only does it teach language skills, but it is an excellent way to bond together.

Lately, reading to our toddler has become more of a chore than a pleasure. Sure, we all enjoy the time together and some of the stories are quite good, but getting her to sit down and pay attention is turning into a losing battle. Instead of fighting, we’ve given in to her toddler whims and gone with them. Here’s what has worked for us.

• Make reading fun. We try to read fun books to her (anything by Dr. Seuss will work). Not only are the illustrations wildly colorful and imaginative, but the rhyming verses also capture her attention. Also, instead of reading the same few books every night, we try to mix it up and rotate her books. That way, she isn’t hearing the same stories and looking at the same illustrations every night.

• Read interactive books. “Pat the Bunny” and lift-the-flap books are amusing for toddlers – not only are there a story and illustrations, but the child is able to take part in the book instead of passively listening.

• Allow play during reading time. Instead of sitting down and reading to our daughter, we let her play with the books. Not only does she have fun turning the pages and pointing to some of the drawings, she also seems to be making up her own story to go along with them. (A note to the type A moms like me: it’s OK to keep reading the story while your child turns the pages back and forth and skips pages – since you have the story memorized anyway, go ahead and “read” it from start to finish.)

• Make up a new story. Turn one of your child’s books into a new story – instead of reading the story, look at the pictures and make up something else. Instead of “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?“, maybe it’s a trip to the zoo or someone’s house pets. “Guess How Much I Love You” could be a series of sporting events.

• Act out the story. Instead of just using different voices for different characters (which is also a good way to make reading fun), involve yourself and your kids in the story – act out certain scenes or just do what the characters are doing. Have your child jump up and down when a character does, or just make the same facial expressions.

Reading is an important step in your child’s development – making reading more fun can be a good way to enjoy story time together with your toddler.

Here’s something that single parents everywhere may rejoice over: In a recent study done by an Ohio State University professor, they found no difference in school performance between children of single parents and those of two-parent homes.  (Provided that the children come from stable homes.)

Providing a Stable Home is Key

The study gathers data from 5,000 families across three decades.  Their findings suggest that stability in family life seems to have more correlation with children’s low stress levels, performance in school, and in low incidence of behavioral issues.  A two-parent household that was mostly dysfunctional proved just as disruptive to a child’s well-being as divorce.

The Downside

Marriage or remarriage of said single parent can be just as disruptive.  This was stated in a University press release: “Based on this study, we can’t say for sure that marriage will be a good thing for the children of single mothers [or fathers], particularly if the marriage is unhealthy and does not last“.

The Exception

The only exception in the study was found among black children, where children from two-parent homes consistently scored better in math and reading tests.

Despite the caveats, I think it’s safe to say that stability — in routine, in caregivers – as well as a loving and enriching environment is still the best way to ensure that children are happy, productive and successful in school.  And most improtantly, in life.

It’s exciting when kids start saying words. My daughter was an early talker, and combined with her petite stature we got plenty of amazed stares when she would speak to people in public. My son also had the propensity toward learning longer words a lot faster than other kids his age. At an early age he once told a lady that something was “enormous” and when she looked at him with a shocked face he sympathetically said, “That means big.”

Despite their early verbal skills, I still worried that maybe they weren’t learning how to speak exactly as they should. I think most parents do like I did; they alternate between being incredibly proud of their kids’ new speaking skills, yet worry that any little thing may be an indicator that there is something cognitively wrong with their kids’ learning ability. Yes, it’s normal to worry about these things, so don’t beat yourself up if you find yourself hypervigilant.

What is Generalization?

Let me help you with one thing you may be worried about when your child starts talking: generalization. This is the term that is used to describe how many young children label things in lumps. For example, all four legged animals might be labeled “cat” by your child, or every woman may be declared  “Momma.” Most kiddos do this when they are first learning to talk, and not only is it completely normal but it’s expected.

This is simply one of the ways that young kids use what they already know about the world to interpret new things they experience. Think about it; if you encountered something new you had never seen before, you would probably try to relate it to something else you already know in an attempt to understand it. Young children just don’t have as extensive a history in world experiences, so the generalizations will seem more, well, generalized.

So if your new talker declares a horse to be a cow or a desk to be a table, don’t fret. It’s just another one of the many verbal and cognitive steps your brilliant child will go through.

My daughter started preschool a few weeks ago.  Yes Moms and Dads, the years do fly by that quickly.  The first day, my 2 year-old didn’t even bat an eyelash as we left her playing with the myriad of toys that her teacher laid out.   We breathed a sigh of relief but her teacher cautioned us that kids her age usually start being tearful on the second day, once she’s learned that she will be left there by her parents.  And it was true.  M. spent her next few classes crying “on and off” according to her teachers. We took this to mean she cried all day (well, 1/2 day, as shes’ only there for 3 hours). Here is what we would do differently and what are we doing now.

Easing the Transition to Preschool

• Visit the classroom before your child begins. This allows your child to meet other children, and feel familiar with the surroundings without the stress of leaving them.  Make several visits.  Point out their teacher and have them learn their teacher’s names.  Introduce them to at least one other child they look to be compatible with. This can greatly reduce the separation anxiety many children feel on the first day of school. I only made one pre-visit  and I wished I had made more.  Of course, make sure that the visits are okay with the teacher first.

• Make school an upbeat topic. Don’t add to your child’s stress by falling apart thinking how much you’ll miss her and join her in her tears.  Point out all the things she’ll be learning.  I keep telling my daughter that school will help her grow smarter.  I also point out all the friends she’ll make.  For now, she tells me that “I don’t want to play with the kids!”…but I’ve  been assured that her attitude will change.

• Say good-bye and tell him you’ll be back. Don’t sneak away as this can really traumatize your child.  When you promise you’ll be back and you do come back, he will gradually learn that it’s okay to be left there, and okay to have fun, because Mommy and Daddy will return.

• Don’t sneak back in. You’ll then have to start all over again with the tears, the good-byes, etc.  Let them finish the day and only come back if the school asks you to return.

• Let them have their comfort object at school. This particularly stressful time is not the time to try to wean them from their security items – a paci, a patch of their blankie, or a favorite doll.  Unless the school has a  policy of no bringing toys from home, let her have something comfortable to hold on to at school.  My daughter keeps her Boo doll from Monsters, Inc.

Most important of all, stay the course.

It’s hard to send your child off when they’re not so willing to go to school, but remember all the reasons you sent them there in the first place.  Ideally, you’re sending them to a school with a good reputation, and you’ve done your homework in that regard.  Now it’s time to recall why preschool is good for them.  For my daughter, she is an only child, with no cousins nearby, and I wanted to make sure she is well-socialized.  We already went to gym class and dance class together, but I felt she needed more exposure to other children.  The extra hours in the two 1/2 days she goes also affords me time to work out, and pursue other non-toddler related interests.  Hopefully, in a few weeks, I can report a child who’s eager to go to school.

The UK is certainly showing its talent these days it seems. First Susan Boyle burned up the web after wowing judges on Britain’s Got Talent. Now a two-year-old girl has been named the youngest member of the high IQ society, Mensa. The little girl, Elise Tan Roberts is from Edmonton, North London. According to reports, an intelligence test put her in the top .2% in her age group in the UK.

Little Elise’s IQ score is a whopping 156, just a few points shy of super brain himself, Albert Einstein. Among her notable feats; she can count to ten in Spanish, identify different types of triangles, and she knows the alphabet. She can also name the city capitals of 35 places in the world and read the words ‘mummy’ and ‘daddy.’ Not bad at all for a two year old. In fact, Mensa has stated that she is an “exceptional child.”

The chief executive of Mensa, John Stevenage, was quoted as saying in an article online, “Elise’s parents correctly identified that she is an exceptional child. They now realize they have an interesting challenge on their hands as she grows up. We wish them well and look forward to seeing Elise develop in the coming years.”

Other talented toddlers in Mensa are Ben Woods and Georgia Brown. Little Ben was two-years and nine-months old when he joined in the 1990s. Two-year old Georgia became a member in 2007 with an IQ score of 152.

The question many may be asking is how much of this is influenced by the environment. Clearly some children are more gifted than others. I think though, that encouraging early communication, and reading to young children very early can help to stimulate their development. There are also products on the market right now which claim to help children learn to read before they even start kindergarten.

Clearly the parents of these children are faced with the challenge of keeping them on that path. I look forward to hearing more about them in the future. I do hope though that regardless of how bright they are, these children and others like them won’t be pressured into trying to learn too much. After all they are still just kids who need to do everything that kids do.

I hope that in developing countries, mechanisms will be developed for recognizing similarly talented children, and that that they will have access to an environment that will develop their abilities. Good luck brining out the best in your own little geniuses.

Some people would probably think that Suri Cruise is the luckiest girl in the world. In her short life (she turns 3 on April 18), Daddy Tom Cruise and Mommy Katie Holmes have reportedly spent a million dollars for her education. This includes private tutors to teach her Spanish and French, instructors for ballet, tap, and modern dance, gymnastics, art and music. She probably has the coolest playmates in the world – Romeo (6) and Cruz (4) Beckham, sons of David and Victoria Beckham. All for the sake of giving Suri a “well-rounded” education.

Some tabloids are a bit critical of Tom’s devotion for Suri. “You’d think she’s an only child”, apparently referring to Tom’s two adoptive kids with Nicole Kidman. I am not sure whether this accusation of favoritism is justified but indeed Isabella Jane (16) and Connor Antony (14) have remained away from the limelight, compared, for example, to the mixed brood of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt or Madonna.

During the last three years, my husband and I have been agonizing as to what to do with our twins’ education. Private international school or public school? The private schools have the advantage of English being the medium of instruction. The main disadvantage, as you can well guess, are the horrendous school fees. The public schools in the area of Switzerland where we live are free and are taught in German, with English taught as a foreign language at the 2^nd or 3^rd grade. Apparently, we are not the only parents faced with this decision. In every kiddie birthday party or playdate, the subject of conversation among moms are always about the where’s, what’s and how much’s of schools and who is going to which school. One time, my husband got sick of it and asked whether we didn’t have anything else to talk about.

The questions that we ask ourselves are:

• Can we afford private schools?
• Even if we can, should be spend the money on school fees now or save it for college?
• Would private/public schools be a good environment for our kids?

Many parents try to give to their kids what they probably didn’t have during their childhood so I guess it’s the same for Tom and Katie. I am pretty sure though that they don’t have to worry about school fees now or college money later and I envy them for that.

On the other hand, I don’t believe that my kids will have a disadvantaged childhood compared to Suri Cruise. We may not be able to afford private lessons and tutors but we love our kids just as Tom and Katie love their Suri. And that’s the most important thing, isn’t it – love.

I am happy to say, though, that we don’t need tutors to teach our boys foreign languages. They’ve been brought up bilingually (English and German) and are expected to learn French and maybe some Italian in the Swiss public schools. And this is something that Suri doesn’t have!

This post was partly inspired by fellow blogger brit’s post on spending time outdoors with kids and partly by my boys’ preschool schedule of activities. Springtime is expected to be here soon and according to their schedule, lots of time will be spent going to the forest, hiking, and exploring nature’s seasonal changes. And with this additional comment: All outdoor activities will take place rain or shine so dress up your kids appropriately.

After almost 20 years in western Europe, I still can’t get over the fact that people here like to go outdoors, regardless of the weather. Coming from tropical Asia, I used to be cold- and wet-weather shy. Since I got married to a European, I’ve learned that there is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong gear.

What I find amazing (and great) is the fact that children here are encouraged to do the same. My boys’ preschool is situated in the middle of the city of Zurich, Switzerland, on the 2^nd and 3^rd floor of an office building. The school doesn’t have a yard, a garden or a playground. When we checked out the school before moving here 2 and a half years ago, the teachers assured us that they go out everyday to different playgrounds in the area. My husband and I took their word for it, knowing the Europeans’ affinity for the outdoors and we weren’t disappointed. The classes go out regularly on class trips to zoos, animal parks, forests, made possible by Zurich’s wonderful public transport – at no extra expense to the parents. Only under extreme weather conditions such as snow- and thunderstorms that outdoor activities are canceled. During those trips, they learn a lot of things, mainly to respect nature. They can touch and draw snails and other sedentary beings but not hurt them. They learn to take home their own rubbish. And they learn to put out the fire before leaving the camping area.

I have already observed this close connection with the outdoors when we were still living in Germany. Starting at 18 months, children could join a playgroup ran by the local mothers’ club. The kids were allowed to play outdoors in a fenced-off public playground for 3 hours, 2 mornings a week. Moms took turns to be on duty to watch the kids. There were usually 3 moms watching 15 kids and watch duty happened at most once a month. This was a great help for all moms who could go shopping, go to the hairdressers, etc. I made use of my free hours by going on jogging runs. Again the play dates were for the whole year, rain or shine and the only shelter the kids had was a shed where toys and a portable toilet and a changing table were stored. When I suggested to a friend from another continent living in Germany at that time to sign up her kids, she was horrified. Maybe it’s a cultural thing

She would have been more horrified if I had told her about Waldkindergarten (translated as forest kindergarten) which exists not only in Germany and Switzerland, but in some other European countries as well. Basically it is what the name suggests: a kindergarten in the forest. The classroom is the woods, with perhaps a hut or a boxcar container as shelter in case it gets too wet. Although my husband and I liked the idea, we decided that our kids should receive some real classroom experience as well, thus our choice of preschool.

But we do not leave the outdoor activities to the preschool alone. We reinforce them as part of family activities. We had out first springtime family walk last Saturday. It lasted for 3.5 hours over creeks, hills, and through forests and even patches of snow left over from the winter. What better – and cheaper – way to spend the first sunny day of March with the whole family?

Everyone who is into research work knows how tough it is to get funding for a research project. Tell me about it. I’ve worked in the academia for 10 years before I became a WAHM.

So how can a 9-year old convince the highly esteemed members of a funding review committee at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to grant him research funds? Terence Boylan of Snyder, N.Y. did just that 52 years ago and was granted a $10 grant so that he and his friend, 14-year old Bruce Cook could build their first rocket ship. Because NIH believed in investing in kids, in science, in the future.

What happened more than half a century ago is now written in a book called “The Rocket Boys of NIH: How NIH Gives Health and Hope to Kids and the World.” The book tells the story of the two young researchers and is written at a reading level for 4^th or 5^th graders though I wouldn’t mind reading it myself.

NIH is one of the biggest sources of research funds in the US, supporting “more than 325,000 scientists at more than 3,000 universities, medical schools and other research institutions across the country and around the world.” To be granted research funds, a research proposal has to go through a very tough screening and review process.

The rocket boy Boylan is older now and has gladly agreed to share his story for the book. He didn’t grow up to be a scientist but became a recording artist who toured and worked with the likes of Steely Dan, the Linda Ronstadt band and the Eagles. Yet, he never forgot his $10 NIH research grant which he has paid back many times over now as he runs Boylan Foundation for International Medical Research in Rhinebeck, N.Y. The foundations give grants to medical students and postdoc researchers in the field of biomedical research. Boylan is also chairman of the Board of Trustees at the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, in Salisbury Cove, Maine, which is is a non-profit marine and biomedical research facility.

The book is part of NIH education program for children, the formation of which was inspired by Boylan’s research application.

The book is in paperback form and is for free. You send a request to

E-mail requests can be sent to rocket@csr.nih.gov.

It is also available in Spanish: “Los Chicos, el Cohete y NIH: Como los Institutos Nacionales de Salud dan esperanza y salud a todos los niños y al mundo.”

Or in electronic form at http://www.csr.nih.gov/rocket/

I’ve been reading to my daughter since a few days after she was born. I even packed a few picture books in my hospital bag, but we were too busy trying to get the breastfeeding thing working that I didn’t read to her in the hospital.

Just the other night, my 15-week old daughter realized that the stories I’ve been reading to her come from books. She noticed that there are neat, colorful pictures to go with the words. I first caught her looking at the pages when I read the classic bedtime story, Goodnight Moon.

Bibliophile that I am, this milestone was even more significant to me than when she rolled over for the first time. I was so intrigued by her reaction to the connection between the pictures and the words that I read her four bedtime stories that night!

Now, as I read her the same stories I’ve been reading to her for four months, she is seeing them for the first time. And it makes story time so much more fun for both of us.

So, I’d like to share with Babies Online readers a list of my daughter’s favorite picture books. The criteria? She likes short, snappy sentences with not too many words per page. She seems to prefer animal characters, and a story where I can really put some enthusiasm into the lines, meaning they are fun for me to read, too!

And yes, I can tell her favorites already by her reactions and how long the story will keep her attention. Maybe I’m raising a book review blogger!

1. Goodnight Moon – This classic by Margaret Wise Brown is the perfect bedtime book, and because it was the first book my daughter “noticed,” it goes first on our list. It’s got a great rhythm and simple pictures that hold a child’s attention—even an infant’s. By the time I am whispering “Goodnight noises everywhere,” my daughter knows it’s time to go to sleep.

2. The Foot Book – This interactive story by Dr. Seuss is shorter than many other Seuss books, making it perfect for infants and young readers alike. My daughter loves when I grab her foot to show her “left foot, right foot.” The cats don’t like it so much when I use their paws to demonstrate “fuzzy fur feet.” Best of all, you can get two free Dr. Seuss books, and a tote bag, right here through Babies Online’s special offer.

3. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie – Author Laura Numeroff has an entire series of “If You Give…” books, and each one is a great addition to any children’s library. The adorable mouse, cat, pig and moose characters endear Mom and baby alike. With one fun sentence per page and great illustrations filled with details, these books just don’t get old, even after the hundredth or so reading. Watching the smile on my daughter’s face when I ask her, “What happens next…?” simply melts my heart. I’m sure when she’s older she’ll begin to narrate the books along with me.

4. The Hat – I’ve always been a Jan Brett fan, and The Hat is one of my favorites. It’s a lot of fun to read, and the ironic ending will make adults chuckle. Brett’s detail-rich illustrations bring every page to life, and the plot progresses with just enough repetition that children love it but parents won’t find it tedious.

5. The Monster at the End of this Book – Originally published in 1971, The Monster at the End of this Book (starring lovable furry old Grover) was one of my childhood favorites. When I found a beat-up copy at a garage sale while I was pregnant, I pounced. Then my aunt bought Ashley her own, brand-new copy, and I can’t think of a more perfect gift. This title is fun to read with enthusiasm and always makes my daughter giggle. Yes, we all know Grover IS the monster at the end of the book, but that doesn’t make it any less suspenseful for little ones.

There are so many other great books available to foster a love of reading for your child, this list is just a very small sampling. I know I’ve left out many notable authors, including Karen Katz and Eric Carle.

Really, there’s no excuse not to read at least one book a day to your child. When your baby gets to the “grabby” stage, sturdy board books are a great investment and are priced lower than their hard cover counterparts.

Readers, what are you favorite children’s books? Please share!

On Tuesday, it was Family Literacy Day in Canada. I took my daughter to an Early Years Centre to participate in a Family Literacy Day program where they read and acted out a number of stories, rhymes and songs. We both had a great time. So did my 4 month old baby!

We were sent home inspired to read every day (something I have always done anyhow) to our children and to engage them in as many literacy related activities as possible.

Later that day, out came the chart paper, newspaper flyers, scissors, glue and markers. We taped the chart paper to the floor, chose a letter of the alphabet to focus on (my daughter chose the letter B) and we brainstormed different words that started with “B”. After we wrote down the words, we also hunted through the flyers for objects that started with “B”. I encouraged her to look for words that started with “B”, but she wasn’t interested in doing that.

As per usual, the activity turned into a child led activity, which was fine by me as it still focused on literacy which was the purpose of the activity in the first place, oh and of course to have fun!

Some other literacy focused activity ideas are:

Letters and words are all around us. Reading is not simply opening a book and reading the words. For children, reading involves exposure to letters and words, looking at pictures and describing what they see and drawing pictures and explaining what they drew.

Try to read with your child each and every day. Every book counts!

Let your kids stay up tonight to see one of the best night skies of their lifetime. Three moon phases coincide on Friday, December 12, making it seem bigger and brighter than it will for another 15 years. As an added, bonus, they’ll also witness the Geminid meteor shower, an annual show of “shooting stars” at an rate of nearly two a minute.

The moon orbits earth in an oval shape, meaning it is not always the same distance from the planet. It is currently at one of its nearest points to the Earth, about 17,000 miles closer than usual.

But not only is it closer, it is also a full moon on Friday. According to Marek Kukula, an astronomer at the UK’s Royal Observatory, this happens only once every few years. This coincidence alone will make the moon appear 14% bigger and 30% brighter, assuming it isn’t cloudy in your area. But a third factor will add to the spectacular lunar view tonight. Since we are near the winter solstice, the full moon will reach its highest point of the year, being nearly overhead at midnight. (The earth is not straight up-and-down; it is at an angle. In the winter, we tilt away from the sun, so the moon reaches higher.)

The moon, of course, isn’t actually bigger, but our brain sees it that way when it is closer, and when it is on the horizon. So whenever the moon rises in your area is when it will appear largest. Though it may seem brightest when it is higher overhead.

The moon’s close approach to earth will also pull a higher than normal tide. So folks on the coasts will have something else to watch. If combined with certain winds, however, flooding could be in store. Be careful!

Also beginning Friday night and continuing until Sunday is the annual Geminid meteor shower. Locate the constellation Gemini in the night sky, and then sit back and the enjoy the show! Nearly 100 meteors every hour will fly through the atmosphere, visible to the naked eye. But you’ll want to be looking away from the moon. Its bright light will make it difficult to see them.

Most American children know the Christmas story, or at least the legends surrounding the celebration-i.e., Jesus and/or Santa Claus and his reindeer. But while you go about your Christmas preparations, you may want to also inform your kids about other holidays celebrated this season-or at least be prepared to answer their questions. For me, I had to take a crash course when my then-five year old son and I were in the post office one holiday season. He saw some Kwanzaa stamps and wanted to know what that was. I didn’t really know, so I had to look it up. And while I was at it, I also decided to learn about Hanukkah.

If you are a non-religious family, studying the cultural and religious practices of others is still a great way to learn about the world around you. For Christians, it can serve as a platform from which to reinforce your own faith, values, symbols and celebrations.

Kwanzaa, a cultural holiday celebrated by some African Americans from December 26 to January 1, was initiated in 1966 and may be observed in addition to faith-based holidays.

The name ‘Kwanzaa’ comes from a Swahili phrase meaning “first fruits”. Based on African harvest celebrations, the holiday serves to introduce and reinforce seven principles of African culture. In English, they are:

• Unity
• Self-determination
• Collective work and responsibility
• Cooperative economics
• Purpose
• Creativity
• Faith

Each day of the week long festival includes a family gathering, a re-dedication to one of the seven principles, and the lighting of one more of seven candles. Celebrants enjoy a feast on December 31 and a Day of Meditation on January 1, intended as a time to recommit to all the values that Kwanzaa celebrates.
All of the objects and decorations used in Kwanzaa festivities are highly symbolic, especially the colors: black (representing the people), red (representing the blood of their struggle) and green (representing the hope of the future). Gifts given to children are often handmade, and are supposed to be books or cultural symbols, an intentional rejection of other commercialized holidays.

Chanukah, or Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day holiday observed by Jewish people, beginning on the 25th of Kislev (December 21st-29th, 2008). Some Messianic Jews also celebrate the birth of Jesus, but rarely does a religious Jewish family recognize Christmas.

Hanukkah, meaning “dedication”, commemorates a successful coup in 165 BC against Antiochus Epiphanes, who had defiled the Temple and prohibited the Jews from observing their religion. A small band of rebels finally recaptured Jerusalem, and the Temple was rededicated-on the 25th day of Kislev.

Upon reentering the temple, they found only enough purified oil to burn the eternal light for one day (ritual purification of the oil takes seven days), but “a great miracle happened there”-the oil burned for eight days, thus, the traditional explanation of the eight days of Hanukkah.

Jewish families give gifts and money, pray blessings, eat foods fried in oil, play the dreidel game, and light one more candle on the menorah, a candelabra with 9 candles (eight to remember the miracle, and the ninth—the servant candle-to light the others).

When you tell your children about Kwanzaa and Hanukkah, it’s also a good time to make sure your children know why your family celebrates the way it does. Maybe you can tell them this year about the real St. Nicholas, or where the twelve days of Christmas came from. Why do we have Christmas trees? What’s the reason we give gifts? Why do some people celebrate Christmas on January 7? It’s easy to skip over the symbols and traditions of Christmas, and unfortunately, our children often learn more details about customs foreign to them.

Above all, don’t forget to enjoy the holiday however you like best. It should not be a burden, but a delight. And a terrific way to spend time with family and loved ones.

As Amy Carter walked through the doors of Thaddeus Stevens Elementary School, the media had a heyday. But most of the country?s top politicians ever since have opted instead for private schools. So a lot of people this week are urging the Obamas to make the PC decision and send their two daughters, Sasha and Malia, to D.C. public schools.

Among them is the D.C. superintendent of schools. He lauds the district?s many fine neighborhood and charter schools. He cites the opportunity for language instruction, multicultural environment, and the many students who are wooed by top-notch colleges. Additionally, D.C. is a ?school choice? district, meaning parents have the right to enroll their children out of the boundaries of their neighborhood school, assuming there is room in the desired facility.

The superintendent also suggests that the Obamas can learn about all the problems with No Child Left Behind (NCLB) by putting their kids in the thick of it.

I was on his side until I got to that part. As a public school teacher by profession myself, I think that the superintendent is making his request at the children?s expense. Not that I disagree with the idea that the Obamas should consider ALL of their options. Nor do I disagree that the local public school could be their best option. But they should make a decision based on what works best for each child and the family as a whole. They should not make educational decisions in order to make a political statement. They especially should not send their daughters into a mess (the superintendent?s opinion of NCLB, not mine) so they can see firsthand how bad it is.

That doesn?t make a lick of sense.

My husband is also a public school teacher, so we raised a few eyebrows when we decided to home school our son through junior high. But I would not be shamed into enrolling him in a school that I did not feel best met his educational needs. School is not one-size fits all. And teachers know this better than anyone. I have several friends who take their children to different schools because the one that?s best for the oldest child is not best for he next.

Of course, the Obamas have more options than some families because of their position in life. I think that?s great. Their decision may involve more than just academics, as do all of our school choices. They must consider their values, as well as what?s convenient. They also (unlike most of us) need to consider politics and security. But it?s not just public vs. private anymore.

Parents can choose to homeschool, they can investigate charter schools (which are tuition-free), and there are public or private hybrids with homeschooling. If the Obamas? move has you thinking about school, maybe it?s time to re-evaluate your own school choices. Hopefully, you find that what you have decided is still the best place for your kids. But if not, it?s a great time to look at the new opportunities that may have arisen in your community.

My daughter, at 15 months has a big vocabulary. Along with the 20 or so words she knows, she knows about 10 more in sign language. No, she doesn’t have a full American Sign Language vocabulary, and we don’t consistently teach her every word in sign language. However, the words she does know has come in handy during the months she still couldn’t utter a word.

As soon as she started eating solid foods, and was weaned from the bottle, she was taught the signs for “eat/food”, “drink”, “more”. Those three signs alone has resolved 99% or issues during mealtimes. We’ve taught her “apple”, “cracker”, “book”, “baby” (for her baby doll). As we find more and more words she still can’t say, we teach her the sign for them to reduce frustration. As a result, we have some sort of hybrid communication that’s working wonderfully.

If you have a child that’s easily frustrated, and one who is eager to communicate but can’t speak yet, teaching them sign language is a wonderful tool to give them. Sign language has been linked to advanced language skills once they do acquire the knowledge to talk. They’ve even been linked to early speech development.

Why not pick up a book, or DVD on sign language for babies. There are many available out there. Don’t forget to check out the library for free resources as well!

Happy signing!

Before I got pregnant, though I wanted a baby very badly, I had a vague fear the effects of breastfeeding would have on my breasts. I was young then, and a bit vain. Of course that didn’t deter me from having my daughter, and breastfeeding her for 14 mos. Still a lot of mothers mourn the loss of their pre-pregnancy body, and many believe that their droopy breast are caused by that honorable task of breastfeeding their baby. There are also other mothers who, sadly, do not breastfeed their babies for fear of droopy breasts (and other reasons).

A recent study aims to debunk that belief however, and has concluded that nursing is “not a likely cause of post-pregnancy drooping of the breasts.”

Instead the study found the factors of droopy breasts to be older age, higher body mass index, greater number of pregnancies, larger pre-pregnancy cup size, and a history of smoking to be the more likely causes. They have acknowledged however, that there is no data disproving nursing as a cause of breast ptosis (the medical term).

I think I would add to that the fact that breasts stretch and grow during pregnancy as well as ever. I know I went from a size of barely B to a C when I got pregnant, and then to a D(!) when I got my milk in. They’re now back to the barely B cup size and not the same as they used to be. I didn’t expect to escape unscathed in that department with the stretching I experienced.

Mothers-to-be, educate yourself about breastfeeding and don’t let any fear of changes in your breasts deter you from breastfeeding. The benefits to your baby outweighs any physical changes you may be afraid of.

I have a 401K from my previous job. Right before the bailout hoopla started and the market started plunging with the alarming rate of a roller coaster on descent, I made the decision to switch all my funds to bonds. Before I did that, I saw my retirement fund lose a sizable chunk in just under a year. I’ve seen my neighbors putting up their homes for sale or for rent. I’ve received a letter declining my request for financial aid for school.

According to some experts, we’re heading for a recession so we should see even more decline in economic activity: low Gross Domestic Product, lower income, low sales, higher unemployment. To put it bluntly, I’m scared. Like millions of other Americans, I haven’t placed my family in the best financial footing. What if the declining economy affects my husband’s job, while he’s our family’s only breadwinner?

According to some experts, to prepare for a recession, a family should prepare itself for the possibility of losing their jobs. So what should you and I do?

• Start storing up for the winter so to speak, by way of an emergency fund. Experts say you should have at least 3-6 months expenses saved up. That can really add up for any family. So start being aggressive in cutting back on eating out, Starbucks lattes, maybe forgo that planned vacation and have a staycation instead. Make sure all those money saved goes to your emergency fund.
• Polish your skills. If your job pays for continuing education, or reimburses for it, get a certification that will make you more competitive or even desirable to keep, in a recession’s market.
• Stock up on pantry items. Yes, you read right. In some previous recessions, prices of consumables have gone way up. The ones with the advantage were families who prepared with lots of canned goods (theoretically unlimited shelf life), beans (can be stored safely up to two years), rice, and even meats which can be stored in a deep freezer.
• Put off major purchases such as cars, big screen TVs, or anything else that’s a luxury. You’ll be happy to have the money in your pocket when the lean times come.
• Look at where your 401k is going and redistribute if needed, and change elections if necessary. You may want to stick to bond funds, or you may want to change the percentage of your income going to your 401k. Just remember never to go below your company matched number. If your company matches every dollar up to 3%, stick to at least a 3% election.

I don’t want to alarm anybody, but I did want to give families some ideas on what they can do, and how they can be prepared. Good luck to all of us, and let’s hope the lean times don’t last that long.

I’m going to school right now to pursue another degree. I’m one of those whom statistics cite as changing their field of career at least once within their lifetime. With that comes a lot of sacrifice, juggling of schedules, and many other unique stressors that accompany being a “student mom”.

5 Things I Hate:

• Having to ignore my daughter’s pleas to play while I’m working on a paper, researching an assignment, or working on assignments at the home computer.
• Hearing my daughter and husband (with whom I already don’t spend enough time) playing just outside the door, and unable to join them.
• Hearing my young, single classmates taking everything for granted, and foregoing a good grade to party, while I’m here making sacrifice after sacrifice.
• Having only one income.

5 Things I Love:

• Stimulating my brains. I’m definitely recovering the “mommy brain” I had for a while after my daughter was born.
• Being a good example to my daughter of someone who can sacrifice money and comfort to pursue one’s dream. And get an A at the same time!
• Having a flexible enough school schedule that I am still available a few days of the week to take my daughter to the park and play areas, and to run other errands.
• Having adult interaction with people who have the same pursuits I do, and some of them are other mommies too!
• Being among the younger students in my class, the ones who are responsible, who infuse me with vigor.

It’s tough being a student mom. But I’m also confident that I’m doing something worthwhile and fulfilling. In several years, once I’ve graduated, we’ll look back on this and see it as a character-building experience.

This is a day that most parents know will come one day. However, Owen and I didn?t. You see, I had always planned on home schooling if I ever changed my mind and had a child and Owen agreed with me. We tried home schooling, but when Jalen got to about three he was adamant that he wanted to go to school to make friends. There was no changing his mind!

The big day came on Thursday, September 4, 2008. The week prior, he would wake up and fuss that he was ready to start school. Of course come the big day, and dad and I were excited and scared for him. We took pictures of him in his blue and white plaid shirt and long blue pants. He was so big ? my baby was definitely becoming a big boy.

We feared that he would cry when it came time to leave him, but oh, no, he was fine. He took hold of our hands, looked and us and said, ?Bye parents? and took his seat.

It was us – daddy and me – who had to fight back the tears. It was especially hard for his dad who has always been there with him from day one. He was the first to see him and hold him after my c-section. While I have had to travel and leave Jalen for a few days here and there, his daddy has never slept a night without him at home. They went everywhere together ? daddy and his little man. Owen said he really didn?t expect to take it so hard or to miss him quite so much. Boy, do I understand how he felt.

Leaving Jalen in the care of someone else became easier because of an interesting turn of events. His teacher and I share the same last name (my maiden name) ? one that is not that common in my neck of the woods. She has declared him her little cousin.

Yesterday I visited an amazing toy store, in search of a gift for my nephew?s first birthday. The store carries Waldorf-style toys, as well as other wood and fabric toys. While I used to ?poo-poo? people who prefer that their children play with these natural types of toys, viewing them as elitist and a bit snobby, I now ?get? what all the fuss is about.

The store features Plan toys, Imagi-Play toys and another line of adorable wooden toys from Germany, birth-country to Rudolf Steiner?s Waldorf philosophy (unfortunately, the company?s name escapes me at the moment).

While I am not one to subscribe entirely to any one philosophy, there are things which I learn and take from a number of schools of thought or philosophies. What I like about Waldorf thinking is that it is outside of the box. Waldorf schools focus on teaching the whole child: their hands and hearts as well as their minds. Learning is very hands-on, and very encouraging of children?s imaginations.

Waldorf toys reflect this thinking. The wooden toys are classic and timeless. I absolutely love the Plan wood vegetables and a wood kitchen I saw at the store. I would have loved it as a kid, just as children today would. The kitchen and/or veggies can inspire a child to play house, pretend that he?s a chef, gardener or grocer.

Many Waldorf toys are even less specific in their use. A nest of colorful wooden arches, which create a rainbow when nested together, may be put together and taken apart like a puzzle, used as a bridge or ramp for a toy car, placed in a pattern to create a design, etc. This is a Waldorf classic.

While some of the Waldorf philosophy is a bit extreme for me (ie: many followers do not give their kids any vaccinations), I really like their approach to early childhood education. I love the little green wooden car and wood Pound-A-Ball toy by Plan I got for my nephew. My baby loves his new colorful wooden teether I bought him (couldn?t resist!).

I?ll visit my new favorite toy store when it?s time to start my holiday shopping. I?ll also keep the Waldorf emphasis on nature and imagination in mind when looking for new toys and playing with baby.